The proposed plan would create a 16-team Eastern Conference and a 14-team Western Conference. The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets would switch from West to East, putting all 16 Eastern time zone teams together, and the Southeast Division would be broken apart.

The fact that eight of 16 teams would make the postseason from one conference, compared to eight of 14 from the other, was an issue for the union, though it apparently has gotten over it for the time being. A more minor issue: increased travel for the Florida teams.

Under the playoff plan, the top three teams from each division would qualify, followed by the seventh and eighth teams in the conference, regardless of division.

Originally, the realignment plan called for reassessment after three seasons. Now it's two, which means that if it doesn't work for the union, it can challenge it more quickly. The fact that the issue was addressed relatively quickly is positive, especially considering the whole "season-threatening lockout" thing, but it's far from a given that things will look the same after 2015.

The proposed divisions:

Atlantic: Carolina, Columbus, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington